Crohn's Disease

What is Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. 

There’s no known cure for Crohn’s disease, but the team at Zen Releaf can help you manage your symptoms and optimize your quality of life. 

If you have Crohn’s disease and don’t get treatment, it can damage the tissues of your intestines and lead to life-threatening complications. 

What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease can affect your entire GI tract, from your mouth to your anus, and is painful and disabling. It causes a variety of symptoms that include:

• Abdominal pain and cramps
  
• Rectal bleeding
  
• Frequent diarrhea
  
• Chronic fatigue
  
• Unexplained weight loss
  
• Reduced appetite
  
• Fever 
  
• Mouth sores
  

Crohn’s disease is progressive, so your symptoms may be mild at first but get worse over time.

What causes Crohn’s disease?

The cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown, but there are known factors that can increase your risk of developing the disease, such as:

• Family history
  
• Weak immune system
  
• Environmental factors
  
• Smoking
  

Crohn’s disease affects most patients after the age of 30, but it can happen at any age. It’s equally common in men and women and appears to have a higher incidence rate in developed countries and among the Ashkenazi Jewish population.

How do you diagnose Crohn’s disease?

There’s no one test that can positively identify Crohn’s disease, but each treatment begins with a physical exam, a detailed review of your medical history, and a discussion about your symptoms.

The symptoms of Crohn’s disease are very similar to common gastrointestinal problems, so the practice first tests you for other possible causes for your symptoms. 

The practice uses blood tests, diagnostic imaging like X-rays and CT scans, and minimally invasive procedures like a colonoscopy to assess the condition of your GI tract.

How can you help manage the symptoms of Crohn’s disease?

The team at Zen Releaf can help you manage your condition with a customized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and symptoms.

The practice is a licensed provider of medical marijuana, which can help ease many of your symptoms and any inflammation that makes your condition worse. 

Marijuana can greatly help with symptoms like nausea and reduced appetite, which usually result in weight loss and a further compromised immune system. 

You may also require less prescription medication to manage your symptoms when you combine traditional pharmaceutical medication with medical marijuana.

To learn more about how medical marijuana can help reduce unpleasant gastrointestinal issues from your Crohn’s disease, call the office or use the online scheduling tool to book an appointment today.